KOTA KINABALU: Kaamatan is a time of celebration, especially for Sabahans, and Hotlink is pleased to be part of this festive occasion by partnering with Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) as one of the main sponsors for Pesta Kaamatan Peringkat Negeri Sabah 2016, happening from 21 May to 31 May at the KDCA Cultural Village in Penampang.

Hotlink is also the official sponsor for the Sugandoi singing competition, which took place on 21 May, and the Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant, scheduled to be held on 31 May.

The grand prize winner of the Sugandoi 2016 singing competition was Mohd Rifanzie Ruji from Labuan, with his rendition of Pombolutan Au Kosili Piusan and Haro Koginawaan Nu. The runner-up was Darrel Reitz Vidy from Keningau, and the third place winner was Debra Paimin from Ranau. The top 3 winners each received a smartphone and cash prize from Hotlink.

?We have always understood the importance of engaging with our customers in Sabah. This year, we are excited to work with KDCA as an official sponsor for Pesta Kaamatan Peringkat Negeri Sabah 2016 to celebrate this festive occasion with our customers. As a token of appreciation to our Hotlink and Maxis subscribers for their continued support, we?re pleased to partner with Uber and Nestle to provide free rides and ice cream during the event. On behalf of Hotlink, we would like to wish Kotobian Tadau Tagazo do Kaamatan to all those celebrating,? said Ng Chak Khin, Maxis? Head of Sabah Region.

Through Hotlink?s partnership with Uber, Hotlink and Maxis customers can enjoy two free Uber rides per person worth RM50 (RM25 each way, from Kota Kinabalu city to KDCA Cultural Village and back). To redeem the free Uber ride, Hotlink customers just need to key in the promo code HOTLINKKAAMATAN in the Uber App. Maxis customers also get to enjoy the free rides by entering the promo code MAXISKAAMATAN in the Uber App.

As for its collaboration with Nestle, Hotlink customers will enjoy a freeLA CREMERIA ice cream when they show the Hotlink RED App at Hotlink?s booth during the event. Maxis customers are also eligible for the free ice cream by downloading MyMaxis App, and the Nestle LA CREMERIA voucher in the Rewards section.

Hotlink is currently offering customers in East Malaysia an attractive prepaid plan that comes with free calls, free 10GB high-speed Facebook anytime of the day and free 10GB high-speed Internet from 1 am to 7 am, EVERY DAY. With so much high-speed data, customers can enjoy buffer-free video streaming, fast photo, video uploads as well as downloads, and much more.

Customers are invited to drop by the Hotlink booth at the KDCACultural Village to enjoy all the activities and freebies. For more information on the Hotlink prepaid plan, please visit www.hotlink.com.my/sabah. -(PR)

(Source from New Sabah Times, 26 May, 2016)

Only KDCA can unite Kadazandusun community

11 May 2016

By ERIC BAGANG

PENAMPANG: The Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) is the best platform to unite the Kadazandusun community, said its president, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

He said it is because KDCA has existed for 50 years, and continues its fight to uphold the Kadazandusun community?s cultural heritage.

?KDCA?s role in preserving the Kadazandusun culture is recognised by the government and it has proper administration structure and membership, besides, it has also updated its goals and direction.

?Therefore, I believe that KDCA is the only association that can unite the Kadazandusun community in Sabah,? he said at the inaugural Kapayan KDCA district Kaamatan Festival in Kampung Nosoob Baru, here on Sunday.

Pairin who is also the Huguan Siou said that the global economic situation is becoming more challenging, and more competitive.

Thus, he said that the Kadazandusun community should be united in navigating the economic competitiveness.

?Without unity, the possibility of our community to be left out of the mainstream in various aspects will become bigger,? he added.

According to him, Kapayan has been designated as a new KDCA district which includes Tanjung Aru, kopungit, Nosoob, Kobusak, Koidupan, Ganang, Nagasiba and Mogoputih branches.

He said that Kapayan KDCA coordinating committee is chaired by Leonard Stephen Poyong since March this year. ?I want the KapayanKDCA coordinating chairman and his committee to make KDCA as one of the associations that can unite the Kadazandusun community in this area.

?The unity of our community can no longer be taken for granted, therefore, we should work hard to unite them and KDCA is the best avenue to achieve this objective,? he said.

Pairin who is also Deputy Chief Minister said that the unity reflected by the Kapayan KDCA coordinating committee should also benefit the Kadazandusun community in the area not only in the preservation and development of culture but also in the aspect of economy and social.

KDCA, he said should also be used as a platform to help the government to resolve issues faced by the Kadazandusun community in the area.

KOTA KINABALU: In an effort to elevate the cultural art of the Kadazandusun community, the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) has launched a design competition open to all Malaysians.

It will be divided into two categories with 2D for paintings that are done in oil, acrylic, water colour, batik, prints and wood carvings as well as 3D for handicraft, woven work and traditional baskets.

Entries should be contemporary interpretations of traditional Kadazandusun design and selected pieces will end up being featured at the Sabah Art Gallery to stress upon the importance of culture and arts. The competition is a collaboration by the KDCA Women's Council, Sabah Art Gallery and Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu Hotel.

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Masidi Manjun said the design competition would not only help in preserving the cultural heritage of the community but also enrich it by making it more appealing to the international communities.

We are rich in cultural arts but don't have the expertise or taken any step to commercialise these products to bring profit. I therefore hope that with this competition we can give an opportunity to those keen in arts and culture to explore their talent using Kadazandusun elements, he said when meeting reporters after launching the competition at Le Meridien here yesterday.

Also present were the Chairperson of the KDCA Women's Council, Joanna Kitingan and Sabah Art Gallery Curator, Jennifer Linggi. Meanwhile, Joanna said the council wanted to revive Kadazandusun art while discovering hidden talents. We welcome everyone to participate and especially Kadazandusuns wherever they are in the world, she said.